Do I Qualify for The ERC Federal Assistance Program?

By d-mars.com News Provider

The strength of the country relies on its estimated 33.2 million small businesses, which comprise 99.9 percent of all American businesses. COVID threatened, and in some cases forced, the closure of many small enterprises and tens of thousands are still reeling from the aftermath of the full pandemic.

To offer some relief, the federal government created the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Program under the IRS that has already helped thousands of qualifying businesses receive up to $26,000 per employee. Unfortunately, not enough small business owners are aware of the program. Others don’t think they will qualify, leaving billions of dollars on the table that could help them recover and continue to move forward.

Companies such as ERC Helpdesk, www.erchelpdesk.com, have been created to help small businesses determine their qualifications and navigate the ERC program. Now is the perfect time for business owners around the country to see if they make the cut. A small business can receive an ERC even if it received PPP. The program is flexible enough that most businesses will likely be eligible. The average claim is $150,000, but there is no cap on the amount.

“I was the owner of a marketing business that assisted dozens of small business owners, so I witnessed firsthand the challenges and sweat equity involved in taking such a big risk,” said ERC Helpdesk chief marketing officer, Greg Ross-Smith. “Our founder was and remains a small business owner himself who was initially told his businesses would not qualify for an ERC and there was nobody he could find to make sense of the program. When he finally learned about the program details and what the actual qualifications are, not only did he apply and receive funds, but he also decided to create a way to assist other small business owners in taking advantage of the funding available for their businesses.”

THE GRASS AIN’T ALWAYS Old Folks Saying

Greener On The Other Side

While this idiom can apply to any situation, let’s tackle this old-fashioned saying for today with dating. Sometimes, the “fine” person isn’t always the greatest choice because with anything, you’ll have to water it for it to grow. However, if that water isn’t producing good greener pastures, looking discolored causes confusion, stick with the person whose clarity gives you peace. It may seem obvious, but keeping your lawn watered is critical for lush and green grass. A person does not always seem more appealing than the things he or she does have.

Farmers Market Partners-Missouri City

Celebrates Its 5th Year Anniversary

By d-mars.com

LFD COMMUNICATIONS, LAURA FRNKA-DAVIS

Farmers Market Partners-Missouri City, a local farmer’s market certified by the Texas Department of Agriculture announced today that it will celebrate its fifth anniversary on March 18, 2023.

“Missouri City’s first farmers market which was established in March of 2018 is thriving and has helped several local farmers and businesses flourish in a time of uncertainty caused by the pandemic,” said Thomasine Johnson, owner of Farmers Market Partners-Missouri City and a local resident. “When we first launched the market, our goal was to create an authentic space for all people to share in their local community and establish healthy lifestyles by providing a sustainable living for local farmers and artisans. This is exactly what we have been blessed to do.”

Approximately 2,500 customers attend the farmer’s market monthly to visit the more than 40 vendors who attend regularly. Since its inception, the market also has established relationships with several community partners including the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, the Alzheimer’s Association, Fort Bend Master Gardeners,

Here are the basics to see if you qualify:

1. Your business is based in the United States.

2. You retained and paid W2 employees during 2020 and 2021.

3. Your business was impacted by COVID restrictions in one or more of the following ways:

• Loss of revenue

• Supply chain disruptions

• Full or partial shutdown of your business

Now a growing industry, ERC companies are popping up all over so be wary about who you work with. Ideally, try to work with a company you know, or at least one that understands the needs and inner workings of a small business. Often, it helps to work with a smaller sized ERC business that’s accessible and that will work with your submission on a one-on-one basis. Bigger isn’t always better in this industry. Of course, partnering with a company that maintains a high approval rate for its clients is a critical point of measurement as many companies can waste your time and get your hopes up by simply submitting anything knowing the chances of success are slim. Finally, to the degree you can determine it, try to work with a company that will process your application as quickly as possible while focusing on reducing errors that can delay the process.

“So many small businesses are built organically with the participation, support and hard work of family and friends. As a result, we understand the investment of time, resources and relationships that go into every business we work with,” said RossSmith. “In the ERC business, integrity, trust and customer service rule and that’s what I’d urge all applicants to consider in navigating their eligibility for the program. Our only goal is to help them qualify and then maximize their efforts and amount of compensation they receive.”

Junior Achievement, as well as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Additionally, the farmer’s market created a Young Sprout’s Lemonade Stand to help children understand and appreciate different aspects of entrepreneurship. In 2022, the market also established the Jean Jerauld Back-to-School Scholarship for deserving student volunteers.

“Watching the farmers market grow from literally nothing has been interesting from a community development point of view. The community has embraced the idea and looks forward to gathering on Saturday mornings to support their local businesses,” said Johnson. “In many ways, the farmers market has become somewhat of an incubator for local businesses that have now established larger ventures because of the exposure they gained through participating in Farmers Market Partners- Missouri City.”

Johnson, spoke exclusively to d-mars.com detailing why the farmer’s market became an expansion of her own skillset, “I retired from AT&T 23 years ago. When I retired, I always wanted to be an interior designer. I went back to college after receiving a degree in business and would later add another in interior design. I noticed working at the farmer’s market was so like my education. It’s the same concept, it’s putting things together that work. By being a community development, it’s like checking off the boxes.

The market is located at 5855 Sienna Springs Way is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. rain or shine, and offers organic and locally grown vegetables, fruits, baked goods, natural products, food trucks, and more. FMP also has reward incentives through punch cards for bags, t-shirts and more in support of community initiatives.

For more information about Farmers Market Partners-Missouri City, visit: www.FarmersMarketPartners.com.